Automatic thread tensioning and lubricating device



Aug. 28, 1951 s. A. WARD 2,566,006

- AUTOMATIC THREAD TENSIONING AND LUBRICATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 63 l I Hal,

/4 3mm Sam A. Ward 3mm Sam A. Ward Aug. 28, 1951 s. A. WARD AUTOMATIC THREAD TENSIONING AND LUBRICATING DEVICE I e, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed Oct.

FIG. 2

g- 23,1951 6 r s. A. WARD I r I 2,566,006

AUTOMATIC THREAD TENSIONING AND LUBRICATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 6, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented Aug. 28, 1951 AUTOMATIC THREAD TENSIONING AND LUBRICATIN G DEVICE Sam A. Ward, Efland, N. 0., assignor to Orange Hosiery Mills, Efland, N. 0., a corporation of North Carolina Application October 6, 1949, Serial No. 119,873

'7 Claims. (Cl. 66-126) This invention pertains to an automatic thread tensioning and lubricating device employed in the art of knitting.

In substantialy all types of knitting machines,

with particular emphasis on straight knitting machines employed in the manufacture of full fashioned stockings or hosiery, it is essential that some sort of tensioning mechanism and lubricating means be present between the source of thread or yarn such as a cone and the bank of needles. This is a prerequisite because, during the process of knitting, the yarn or thread, hereinafter used synonymously, taken from its cone or source of supply at a comparatively rapid pace during certain actions of the knitting machine and during other actions of the machine-is relati'vely stationary when considering the cone. It may-be said that the thread in a machine above considered, is subjected to whipping actions and sudden tension fluctuations which, if not prop erly controlled results in the formation of loops or curls and sudden tensional snap or pull that breaks the thread, causing what is commonly termed press-ofis or other imperfections in the knitted fabric.

With the above as a background there is set forth as a main or general object of the invention the provision of an improved tensioning and lubricating device, which, by means of weights and varying degrees of functional forces, will automaticaly control the thread to be knitted to thereby result in a more uniform fabric.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pivotal balanced beam controlled by the action of spring means so that a thread may at all times, irrespective of machine demand, be properly tensioned and at the same time by-pass and level out extreme sudden tension fluctuation.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in an improved tensioning and lubricating device, of an arrangement and association of parts which will successfully eliminate so-called horizontal rings and uneven lengths of stockings which are the result of tension variations in the thread during the knitting process of the,

tension may be required and also a means where-. 4

delicate hair spring may be attached to said.

beam, to apply tension to fine denier yarns where the tension requirements are so delicate that only a hair spring is sensitive enough to apply and control the desired tension settings.

The above and many other objects of the invention will become apparent from the succeeding description considered together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a general side elevational view of a thread tensioning and lubricating device embodying a form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational viewof the device shown in Figure 1. j

Figure 3 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the device of this invention and is considered as viewing the structure along the lines 4-4 of Figur 1 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views taken along the lines 5'5, 6-6 and 'I'l respectively, of Figure 1 looking in the direction 0 the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein, throughout the various figures thereof, like reference characters refer to like parts, the numeral I is employed to designate in a somewhat general manner, a thread tensioning and lubricating device embodying a form of the present invention. The new and improved device or mechanism comprises an arm or supporting member 2 which may be of any configuration or design so long as it presents a structure arranged substantially horizontally and affording a means for carrying the remaining structure hereinafter described in detail. In the illustration employed herein, the arm has at an extremity thereof a. slotted portion 3 having associated therewith a bolt and nut arrangement 4 so that the device or mechanism may be adjustably attached to a convenient part of a knitting or weaving machine with which a plurality of devices of this invention may be associated.

Disposed at an extremity of the supporting arm, removed from the attaching bolt and nut; is-a thread guide 5 removably secured to the supporting arm and arranged to receive guidingly, a thread 6 drawn from a cone or source of supply (not shown). Positioned intermediate the ends of the arm is a standard or post desirably of hair pin configuration and as such comprises a lower, circular, intermediate portion 8 having upstanding therefrom a pair of spaced columns!) weight means characterized by a ring l2 and as will be noted by referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the thread 6 after it leaves the guide 5 extends in a downwardly direction between the columns and through the weight means or ring. Positioned a predetermined distance from the standard portion 8 is a stop or barrier 13 carried at this location by the columns and functioning as a means limiting the upward travel of the ring. Also it will be noted that a ringlet I4 is looped around the standard columns and lies loose at the base of the standard. Only one ring I2 is believed suflicient to weight the thread properly, however, if under certain conditions it is found necessary to employ a heavier weight; the ringlet l4 may also be engaged by the thread. In any event when the ringlet is not being used as a weight, the presence of this ringlet will function as a suitable support for the ring 12 as the latter reaches the lower extent of its travel and prevents the thread from becoming snarled about the portion 8 of the standard. By way of example only,

the vertical distance between the barrier and rlnglet may be such as to account for a difference of fifteen inches in length of thread passing "'therebeyond and this difference is sufiicient to account for different actions of the particular knitting machine of which this invention forms a part and as characterized in the preamble to the objects hereinabove set forth. This arrangement so far described not only functions as a part of the tensioning mechanism of the present -inventiri but also functions as a takeup which will hold'back thread at intervals not demanded by the knitting machine but run off of the cone -or source of supply.

: Depending from the supporting arm at a location horizontally spaced from but in relative "close proximity to the standard is a hanger [5 preferably made of bar stock and having a top flange l6 underlying and removably secured to the supporting arm by means of bolt and nut assemblies H or any other such holding means. A

plurality of assemblies are preferred at this location to prevent the hanger from turning about a vertical axis. The hanger has a vertical web 18 formed intermediate its ends and disposed of the device. The bail is removably secured to the supporting arm by employing one of the bolt 'andnut assemblies l'l. Disposed in subjacent relation to the bail is an angle shaped clip 2| spaced from an upstanding leg 22 forming a continuation of the hanger shelf and in parallel relation therewith. A jar lid 23 underlies the angle shaped clip and hanger shelf to be supported directly therebythrough the medium of bolt and nut arrangements 24 and 24a. The arrange ments 24 lock the hanger shelf to the jar lid 4 while the arrangements 24a secure the bail, angle shaped clip and jar lid together.

Positioned between the angle shaped clip and hanger upstanding leg is a wick 25 preferably formed of a fiberous material such as cotton or the like so as to function as a conduit for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The wick extends from well below the jar cap to a location preferably in alignment with the flight of the thread at this location so that under normal operating conditions the thread will merely brush across the top of the wick. Since, as will be hereinafter pointed out more in detail, the thread or yarn is arranged to ride over the wick and the latter is made of a loose fiberous or porous material, it is preferred that some protective means shall cover or form a part of the wick so that the thread will not cut into it because if such were the case an excessive amount of frictional forces would be offered to the movement of the thread and 'the purpose of' this entire device would be partially defeated. Accordingly, a ribbon 26 of nylon fabric or any other preferred or desired material forms an outer cover for the wick and as such extends from well below the limits of the jar cap to'the upper reaches of the wick. The angle shaped clip and hanger leg are spaced apart a distance less than the normal thickness of the wick to thereby form a bulbous extremity 21 on the wick about which more will be stated later herein. Threadedly associated with the jar lid is a glass container or jar 28 acting as a housing "for a non-static lubricating medium 29 into which the wick extends so that the wick may carryv the liquid to its bulbous extremity to lubricate the thread as it passes thereover.

' Arranged approximately in horizontal alignmen with the top of the bulbous wick extremity is an eyelet 30 positioned at a height intermediate the barrier l3 and lower circular portion 8. This height is selected because the thread, under certain operating conditions may assume a straight line from the thread guide 5 to the eyelet 30 and still not cause any interference by the barrier. The eyelet is stationary and accordingly is removably mounted in the hanger web intermediate the height thereof. It will then be noted that after the thread leaves the except when it may be at rest upon the ringlet M, the load upon the thread is at all times, constant and while it does actually function as a tensioning medium the tensioning valve of this arrangement is also constant. It has been found by an actual application of the device here being considered, that the thread is definitely and positively held under control at all times by varying the resistance to the free passage of the thread to the knitting machine with such variation automatic and responsive to the thread v demand of the knitting machine.

With the above therefore in mind there is provided, mounted on the supporting arm, an angle shaped carrier iron 3! having a horizontal foot 32 removably secured to the supporting arm and rendered adjustable longitudinally of the supporting arm by the presence of the slot 33. The

carrier iron has an upstanding vertical leg 34 in substantial alignment with one edge of the supporting arm. A bracket 35 is vertically adjustably and pivotally mounted on the carrier iron leg by reason of a bolt and nut arrangement 34a passing through a suitable aperture in the iron leg and a slot 36 in an outboard bar 3! of the bracket. At the lower extremity of the outboard bar at a location below the supporting arm, the former blends into an inwardly and downwardly inclined intermediate web 38 oocupying a position directly beneath the supporting arm. The intermediate web merges into an inboard bar 39 which is vertically disposed and terminates at an elevation preferably above the flight of the thread after it leaves the eyelet 30. The lower extremity of the inboard bar is'provided with an apertured bushing 40 which preferably is fixedly associated with its related bar. Extending in a direction transversely of the device is a rod 4| having a reduced portion 42 extending through the apertured bushing and terminating in a threaded extremity 43 which has a rotatable member or thumb nut 44 associated therewith. This thumb nut also abuts the inboard bar and accordingly a tightening action imparted to the nut will lock the rod to the inboard bar.

A walking balanced beam 45, more in the nature of a lever of the first class, is pivotally mounted on the bar. This beam has, intermediate its ends, a winged or collar bearing 46 arranged to accommodate a journal 41 formed on the bar outstanding from the reduced portion thereof. This beam overlies the bulbous wick portion in spaced relation thereto and has fixed at one end thereof a pad 48 which may, like the wick, be formed of a yieldable material such as cotton covered by a fabric such as nylon. This pad has an outer exposed surface which may also be considered bulbous or circular in configuration with the lowermost part of the I pad being, when in normal position as illustrated particularly in Figure 1 of the drawings, in horizontal alignment with the top of the wick bulbous position. By this arrangement therefore, since the thread in its flight from the eyelet 30 is in brushing contact, with what might be considered at least theoretically, a point of the wick and pad, these two components are at this time) offering the least resistance to a free flight of the thread. vAt an end opposed to the pad carrying end, the beam has a downwardly directed neck 49 which carries a second or movable eyelet 50 which normally, at least as illustrated, is in horizontal alignment with the stationary eyelet 30 so as to receive guidingly the thread after it leaves the eyelet 3!! and passes between the pad and wick. It might be well to state at this juncture that the thread 6 after it passes beyond the movable eyelet 51! passes directly to the knitting machine proper Since the thread, after it passes the device of this invention most usually travels in a downwardly direction, some means is believed essential to hold the beam in a somewhat balanced state to partially overcome the downward pull exerted on the movable eyelet. Accordingly the rod has, as a part thereof, a shaft 51 outstanding from journal thereof and which terminates in a head 52. spiralled about'the shaft is a torsion spring 53 having one end looped about a pin 54 on the beam and another end threaded through a suitable aperture 55 in the rod head. This torsion spring may be stressed as desired to meet the particular size of thread employed and conditions encountered in the knitting machine of which a device of the present invention forms a part. This spring will therefore pull against the action of the thread leaving the movable eyelet and because of this arrangement the less pulling force exerted by the thread as the knitting machine demands, the more tensioning the thread demands and the beam will pivot about its axis to lower the pad from its illustrated position. When this transpires it will be noted that the lowermost portion of the pad will be in a position horizontally below the uppermost extremity of the bulbous wick portion to thereby cause a greater line of contact between the thread on the one hand and the pad and wick on the other hand. This greater line of contact will of course offer a greater degree of frictional drag tothe thread to thereby cause a corresponding tensioning of the thread. In like manner, when there is a suificient tensioning 0f the thread the beam will betilted in the opposite or clockwise direction (reference to Figure 1 of the drawing) and this beam action will raise the pad above the reach of the wick to eliminate the effectiveness of the pad and cause only a slight contact between the thread and wick. This slight contact, while offering a minimum of resistance, is believed essential due to thefilubricating effect of the wick as well as a brushing or wiping action thereof to remove from: the thread any particles not forming a part of the thread.

It might be stated here that in the process of knitting on straight bar machines, that the carrier tube or shuttle (not shown) feeding the thread direct to the needles proper (not shown) makes a course or stroke for the width of the fabric desired and stops, standing motionless for the interval required for the needles to dip or press and complete the stitch formation. Then said needles rise, the tube reverses direction for another course and stops, etc. It is during that interval while the tube and thread are standing motionless that the beam has a tendency to move in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby pulling back on thread leading to needles which effectively prevents such thread from looping out to an extra needle and being cut or otherwise forming a rough or looped selvage. Therefore, this pull-back action by actual application assures very smooth selvage, which in turn greatly lowers the percentage of rejects and imperfect hose.

The clockwise action of the beam also is utilized to by-pass and prevent the strain of extreme sudden fluctuations in tension from being transferred to the carrier tube and needles, thereby preventing a great amount of broken threads or fabric press-offs, that is, if a sudden pull is exerted on the thread while in motion from its source to eyelet 58, such force will naturally cause the beam to suddenly pivot in a clockwise direction thereby raising pad 48 lm- 'mediately releasing the tension on the thread entirely and at the same time lowering eyelet 50 which has the effect of momentarily throwing a certain amount of completely slack yarn toward said tube and needles; thus by this combination tension release the mentioned strain or shock is by-passed and absorbed and therefore prevents the tube or shuttle from snapping or breaking the thread.

This clockwise action of the beam should be limited in its travel and toward this end a stop or abutment 56 is also vertically adiustably mounted 7 5' on the carrier iron leg by the bolt and nut araway from the wick.

vertically adjustable so as to afiord proper adjustments under particular conditions.

It might be here stated that the bulbous portion of the wick has upstanding therefrom a pair of needles or metallic members 58 arranged in V formation so as to maintain the thread in a defined area if it should, by chance, be whipped To augment the value of the torsion spring there is provided adjacent the eyelet carrying end of the beam, a cone shaped hair spring 59 having one end thereof looped through a suitable aperture 60 in the beam and another end threaded through a hole 6| in an anchor plate This plate is also adjustably mounted on the supporting arm as at 63 so that the value of the hair spring may be varied to suit particular operating conditions. It will be noted that the related end of the beam is directly below the anchor plate so that the beam may be limited in its travel in a counter clockwise direction.

'This rotative motion is, of course, limited to the value or vertical distance between the beam end and anchor plate minus the solid height of the hair spring.

From the above, considered with the exemplifled form of the invention as illustrated in the drawings it will be noted further that various changes and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit of this invention or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a thread tensioning and lubricating device, the combination of a supporting arm, a standard downstanding from said arm, weight means movable along said standard and having a thread extending therethrough, a bulbous lubricatin wick supported by said arm and positioned intermediate the height of and spaced from said standard, a pivotal beam carried by said arm, a bulbous pad carried by one end of said beam and interposed between said standard and bulbous wick, spring means controlling an action of said beam, and aligned eyelets spaced on either side of said pad and bulbous wick; said thread after it leaves said weight means passing through one eyelet, between and normally in contact with said pad and wick and through said other eyelet.

2. In a thread tensioning and lubricating device, the combination of a supporting arm, a standard downstanding from said arm, weight means movable along said standard and having a thread extending therethrough, horizontally spaced eyelets spaced from said standard, one of said eyelets being stationary and receiving said thread from said weight means, an upwardly exposed bulbous wick carried by said arm between said eyelets and disposed at a height to be engaged by said thread, a beam pivotally mounted on said arm and carrying the other of said eyelets, spring means for controlling the action of said beam, and a downwardly exposed bulbous pad carried by said beam and positioned between said stationary eyelet and wick, said pad being arranged to change the flight of said thread between said eyelets.

3. In a thread tensioning and lubricating device, the combination of a supporting arm, a vertical standard downstanding from said arm,

weight means movable along Said standard and arranged to be carried by said thread, horizontally spaced eyelets spaced from said standard and disposed intermediate the height thereof, one of said eyelets being stationary and arranged to receive said thread from said weight means, an upwardly exposed bulbous wick between said eyelets and arranged to lubricate said thread, a pivotally mounted beam carrying the other of said eyelets, spring means controlling the action of said beam, and a bulbous pad downstanding from an end of said beam and arranged to change the course of said thread over said bulbous wick.

4. In a thread tensioning and lubricating device, the combination of a supporting arm, a vertical standard downstanding from said arm, weight means movable vertically along said arm and arranged to tension a thread, horizontally spaced eyelets, one of said eyelets being station ary and arranged to receive said thread from said weight means, a bulbous wick having an upwardly exposed surface between said eyelets for lubricating said thread, a vertically adjustable bracket carried by said arm, a beam pivotally mounted on said bracket and carrying the other of said eyelets, spring means controlling an action of said beam, and a bulbous pad carried by said beam and being arranged to contact said thread between said stationary eyelet and wick. 5. In a thread tensioning and lubricating device, the combination of a supporting arm, means downstanding from said supporting arm and carrying a jar lid, horizontally spaced eyelets having a thread running therethrough, one of said eyelets being stationary and carriedby said means above said lid, a wick extending through said lid and terminating in a bulbous extremity in substantial horizontal alignment with said eyelets, said wick being interposed between said eyelets, a vertically adjustable bracket carried by said arm, a beam pivotally mounted on said bracket, said beam carrying the other of said eyelets, spring means controlling an action of said beam, and a bulbous pad carried by said beam between said wick extremity and stationary eyelet; said beam being arranged to oscillate so that said thread 'will contact a greater part of said pad and wick extremity.

6. In a thread tensioning and lubricating device, the combination of a supporting arm, means depending from said supporting arm, horizontally spaced eyelets having a thread extending therethrough, one of said eyelets being stationary and carried by said means, a Wick having a bulbous extremity interposed between said eyelets and arranged to have said thread pass thereacross, means adjustably mounted on said arm, a beam pivotally mounted on said adjustable means, the other of said eyelets carried by said beam, spring means controlling said beam, and a downstanding pad on said beam between said wick and stationary eyelet; said beam being arranged to oscillate in response to a tension in said thread so as to alter the vertical disposition of said pad relative to said wick extremity.

7. In a thread tensioning and lubricating device, the combination of a supporting arm, means depending from said arm and carrying a lid, horizontally spaced eyelets above said lid, one of said eyelets being mounted in said means between said lid and arm, a thread passing through said eyelets, a wick extending through said lid and having a bulbous extremity in substantial horizontal alignment with said eyelets, thread guide means in said bulbous extremity, a vertically adjustable bracket depending from said arm, a

beam pivotally mounted on said bracket, spring REFERENCES CITED means controlling the action of said beam against a pull of said thread, another of said eyelets mounted in said beam beyond said bulbous ex- The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

tremity, a pad carried by said beam between said 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS stationary eyelet and bulbous extremity for de- Number Name Date termining the length of thread contacting said 529,362 Butz Nov. 20, 1894 bulbous extremity, and means for limiting the 2,046,293 German June 30, 1936 pivotal movement of said beam.

10 SAM A. WARD. 

